Reformation Sunday • Year A

Historical Collect

O Lord God, heavenly Father, pour out your Holy Spirit upon your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your grace and truth, protect and comfort them in all temptation, defend them against all enemies of your Word, and bestow upon the Church your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Saxony, Duke Henry)

Thematic Collect

Sovereign God, we pray for the Holy Spirit to continue to reform the church of Christ. Keep it in the true faith; restore, correct, and inspire its teachings; and embolden it to bear witness to the life-giving message of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Common Thread

We have an eternal gospel to proclaim that good news for the oppressed. Essentially, this good news is, be still and know that God is God. Therefore, we have nothing to fear—even death and the devil. God is a refuge and a fortress for those beset by the fear of sin, death, and the evil one. That refuge is Christ, for though no one is able to be right with God through works of the law, rightness (righteousness) has been by Christ fulfilling the law for us. That righteousness of God is faith in Jesus Christ, the righteous one (1 John 2:1). The new law is the law of faith. So, we are now able to “be still and know” that God is God, trusting in his word and continuing to believe that Christ alone is our righteousness.

First Reading • Revelation 14:6-7

The Small Catechism exhorts us to “fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” Since the day of judgment is coming, it will serve us well to learn this lesson now, so that our fear, love, and trust brings him glory not only on that great and glorious day but also in these earthly days. In the meanwhile, may we be his messengers who fly about the globe, proclaiming the eternal gospel of salvation.  

Psalm • Psalm 46:1-11

When the law accuses us of breaking the tablets, we have a “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The stream of God’s love for us is never-failing, though we often fail him. His love renews our joy. “Be still and know” that God’s love is ever toward you.

Second Reading • Romans 3:19-28

The righteousness of God cannot be obtained by human effort. It always comes back to God’s work, his righteousness—on our behalf. This is a gift that no one deserves since all have forfeited any personal righteousness due to their sin. Therefore, righteousness can never be left to our own exertions. Consequently, in the great love with which he loves us (Eph 2:4), God offers his own righteousness to us and does so freely. It is available to all who believe. The righteousness of God justly makes us just through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. This free gift of God, his righteousness, becomes ours through faith alone.

Gospel • John 8:31-36

The great commandment teaches that we are to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. (Matt 22:37) How may one do so? There is always some area of self that is vying with your love for God. It is impossible for a person to love God with their whole heart. When one admits this fact, the Holy Spirit is succeeding with your heart, bringing one slowly and surely around to loving God more and more throughout your life. What is impossible for you is entirely possible for God to accomplish in you (Matt 19:26).

Enduring the sidetracks of affection is accomplished by returning to the truth. Following him anew when you have gotten off-track is the most convincing sign of discipleship. And so, abiding or enduring in God’s word is the surest way to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and become freed from the love of self.